Folding wagon-body



No. 753,292. PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

. F. B. MOMURRAY. FOLDING WAGON BODY.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 31 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' No. 753,292. PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

F. BLMOMURRAY.

FOLDING WAGON BODY. APPLIUATION FILED DEC. 31, 190a.

no MODEL. 2 sums-sum 2.

\Hiigzsscs I g g 7 W UNITED STATES Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING WAGON-BODY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 753,292, dated March '1, 1904.

Application filed December 31, 1908. Serial No. 187,326. ,(No model.)

To a, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. MoMURRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pidcock, in the county of Brooks and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Folding Wagon-Body, of which the following is a specification. v V,

My invention relates to wagon-bodies, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this character which may be readily folded for transportation or storage when not in use and one in which the parts will be securely locked in their folded positions.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a perspective view of a'wagon-body made in accordance with my invention and illustrating the same unfolded ready for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device folded. Figs. 3 ands are transverse sections through the body in its open and folded positions, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the vehicle-body, comprising a bottom 2, sides 3, and ends 4. These parts, except as hereinafter described, may be of the usual or any preferred construction and material.

Disposed adjacent to the ends of the bottom 2 and projecting vertically upward therefrom are primary engaging members or brackets 5, preferably formed by bending upward the outer ends of metal straps 6, extending transversely of and bolted or riveted to'the bottom for strengthening the same, while adjacent to the longitudinal center of the bottom there are disposed two pairs of secondary upwardlyprojecting engaging members or brackets 7 formed at the ends of metal straps8, extendbottom 2, preferably by means of strap-hinges 11, while the ends 4 are each composed of a pairof sections disposed end to end and having their outer ends similarly connected, respectively, with the adjacent ends of the sides 3 by means of hinges 12, whereby when the parts are unfolded the ends will extend transversely of and lie between the sides to maintain the same in unfolded position, said sides being provided on their inner faces adjacentto their ends with braces or cleats 13, against which the inner faces of the ends bear.

When in normal unfolded position, as seen in Fig. 1, the sides 3, which are temporarily secured to the secondary brackets by means of bolts or the like 14:, are prevented from spreading under the influence of internal pressure by means of tie-rods or members 15, removably extended through the primary brackets 5 and sides of the body transversely of'the latter and in engagement with suitable engaging devices or books 16, disposed upon the inner face of each end-gate 4 adjacent to the meeting ends of its sections, whereby the latter are locked in operative position, and the ends are likewise prevented from spreading through internal pressure. The devices 16 may be turned from engagement with the rod when it is desired to swing the gates open without withdrawing the rods. Supposing the parts to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and that it is desired to fold the body for transportation or storage, the. tie-rods 15 are removed and the bolts 14 disengaged from the members 7. The sections of the ends may then be swung outward on their pivots from between the sides and the latter folded downward against the upper face of the bottom, the said end sections being then in turn folded downward upon the outer faces of the sides to which they are pivoted. The parts being in this position, the rods 15 are again inserted through the engaging members 5 above the ends 4, thereby securely locking the parts of the body in folded position.

. From the foregoing it will be seen that I produce a simple inexpensive device which is admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein set forth, inasmuch as minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a vehicle-body, the combination with a bottom, of sides pivoted to fold downward thereon, ends pivoted to fold each upon one of the sides, primary engaging members associated with the bottom and removable tierods engaging the members for bracing the sides in unfolded position or securing the parts in folded position.

2. In a Vehicle-body, the combination with a bottom, of sides pivoted to fold downward thereon, ends pivoted to fold each upon one of the sides, primary engaging members associated with the bottom, removable tie-rods engaging the members for bracing the sides in unfolded position or securing the parts in folded position, secondary engaging members associated with the bottom, and means for detachably connecting the sides with the secondary members.

3. In a vehicle-body, the combination with a bottom, of sides pivoted to fold downward thereon, ends pivoted to fold each upon one of the sides, straps extending transversely of and attached to the bottom, the ends of said straps being bent upwardly to produce respectively primary and secondary engaging members, tie-rods removably engaging the primary members and adapted to brace the sides in open or lock the parts in folded position, and bolts detachably securing the sides to the secondary members.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

F. B. MGMURRAY.

Witnesses:

J. A. HORN, JAS. M. JoNEs. 

